Pentagon Pulls All Bombers Out of Britain After Base Scare

Pentagon (GNP): The United States has moved all of its bombers stationed at Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford in the United Kingdom back to their home stations in the US. A Pentagon spokesperson confirmed the move on Sunday. The redeployment follows a security incident near the base that British counter-terrorism police are investigating.

In an email, the spokesperson said all US bombers deployed to the base had redeployed to their home stations. The spokesperson added that operational security had prevented Washington from confirming the movement of its assets and forces in real time.

About a dozen B-1 bombers had been stationed at the base, which lies northwest of London. The aircraft had been used in US military operations against Iran. The US military has stressed that its bomber force remains capable of operating from the continental United States.

The move comes about a week after the incident that triggered the investigation. On September 27, British police arrested several people in connection with a security incident near the base. Counter Terrorism Policing said five men in their 20s were initially arrested after three vehicles were reported travelling toward the airbase.

The men were arrested on suspicion of offences under the Explosives Act and preparation of a terrorist act. They were later released on police bail and remain under investigation. Police said no improvised explosive devices were found in the vehicles, although a quantity of petrol was recovered.

A further arrest followed in London. A 27-year-old dual British-Iranian national was detained on suspicion of preparation of terrorist acts. British counter-terrorism police said on October 3 that he had also been released on bail and that the investigation was continuing.

Attention soon turned to possible foreign involvement. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there were strong indications that Iran had played a part, though he stressed the investigation remained complex and ongoing. US President Donald Trump said those behind the suspected plot had planned to cause big damage. Secretary of State Marco Rubio referred to the possible involvement of a foreign actor.

Tehran has rejected the claims. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on social media that Iran believed the accusations were misplaced, after Burnham publicly linked Iran to the incident. Iran also summoned the British ambassador in Tehran over the allegations.

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British counter-terrorism officials have not publicly established Iranian responsibility. The investigation therefore remains open, and the full picture is still unclear.

The base itself adds weight to the story. The US Air Force has long used RAF Fairford as a forward operating location for strategic bombers. During the recent conflict with Iran, it supported US military operations, including strikes on Iranian missile sites.

Vicki Evans, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said on October 1 that investigators were considering “all possible angles,” including possible foreign-state involvement.